Microsoft had plans to announce a smaller Surface Mini tablet earlier in May but, as Neowin reported, an executive decision was made at the last minute to cancel the reveal. Now a new report hints that Microsoft still plans to launch a smaller version of the Surface sometime later this year.

In an interview with Rhoda Alexander, an analyst with IHS Technology, CNET reports that the research firm noted there is still some activity in the display supply line in Asia that suggests Microsoft might be going forward with a 7.5-inch Surface tablet.

Alexander noted that orders for that size of a display went up in the fall of 2013, and again in March and April 2014, with over 100,000 units for each spike. Alexander stated that while she does not expect the tablet to launch in the near future, she added, "I don't see them purchasing that kind of volume if they've canceled the product."

Previous rumors about the Surface Mini indicated it would use Windows RT and that it would have a Qualcomm processor inside. As Neowin reported a few days ago, it's very possible Microsoft is waiting for the launch of the Modern UI Office apps for Windows sometime later this year to introduce the smaller tablet.